Apr 15, 2009 | Dan Thompson | 473 views
Power Hitter, Kevin Nickel Earns Scholarship At Ubc
Kevin Nickel is a long ball threat every time he steps into the box! The Terriers’ stocky outfielder will be adding some pop to UBC's lineup when he heads west this fall to join Head Coach Terry McKaig's UBC Thunderbirds. The T-Birds are currently ranked 10th in the US National NAIA polls. They boast a 28 and 8 overall record so far this season.
Kevin joined the Terriers two years ago and immediately showed why he has been one of the top players in Ontario since peewee.
An all round athlete, blessed with tremendous power through hard work, Kevin also delivers quiet leadership skills and has a genuine desire to excel at every facet of his game. His deep competitive nature is one of his biggest assets. While at the plate, if he doesn't blast one of his patented towering homers, he'll more often than not come through with a clutch hit up the middle or scorch a ball to the gap.
His biggest home run as a Terrier came last July in Nashville at the World Series. With the Terriers trailing 6-5 in the top of the sixth in the quarter final game versus Dayton Ohio, only four outs from being eliminated, Kevin stepped in and launched a fast ball over the left center field fence to tie the game. The Terriers would eventually prevail, after scoring again in the seventh.
Nickel's baseball talents are not limited to just offense however. He is an excellent outfielder who possesses a very accurate arm. Although he will play outfield in college, Kevin is also a technically sound first baseman who has filled that role admirably on several occasions over the past two seasons.
During the Terriers recent spring break trip to Florida Kevin had 13 hits in 8 games. His average was a staggering .500 (13-26) including 4 doubles, a triple, a homer and 8 RBIs!
Kevin will be studying human kinetics at UBC.
Congratulations go out to the entire Nickel family on this achievement!